Hawks get late win in SEISC quarterfinals

BURLINGTON – Central Lee sophomore goalkeeper Max Jones hunkered down in the dusky twilight of the pitch behind Burlington Notre Dame Tuesday night with the game in his hands.
“We told him he just had to get one,” said Justin Schau, the Hawks' head coach, after the Hawks downed Danville 2-1 in a penalty kick overtime session in the SEI Super Conference tournament quarterfinals.
And Jones got one. He almost got two, but the first kick from Danville’s Colin Pealer sneaked under Jones' legs and crossed the line after he got some hands on the ball.
All five of Central Lee’s penalty kicks found the net, but it was Jones' push of a ball by the Bears' Jacob Miller sending it to Jones’ right out of the goal that proved to be the game winner.
The two goals scored in regulation were both off headers. Peter Seyb scored from about 10 feet out when he advanced on a set from Zach Estrada across the middle and foreheaded the ball past Danville’s Aiden Konig at the 16:45 mark of the first half.
Danville’s Pealer scored on a header off a pass right in front of the goal at the 18:41 mark of the second half to tie the game at 1.
Central Lee dominated play and possession throughout the first half, but that energy dissipated in the second half, much to the chagrin of Schau.
“I have yet to figure high school kids out and I hope someone’s got a secret formula,” he said.
“We need that one guy that’s going to take the whole team on his shoulders and get over the hump. Once we get over that hump, we’re a good team.”
The Hawks had 11 shots in the first half, but just six in the second half.
Central Lee got a couple huge defensive stops in the late going. Senior Drake Weber was able to put the brakes on a Danville break with no Hawk personnel behind him for a steal and possession.

Jones may have had the biggest play in regulation, however. Pealer, one of the most prolific shooters in the SEISC, had a run to the goal and Jones released from the net at the perfect time to break up the run, risking an open net, but breaking up Pealer’s advance with 2:50 left in the match.
Schau said that was a great defensive play from a kid who is in the keep for the first time this season.
“Max did the right thing there. He saw how the play developed and held his line, but then saw he could come out. We had a defender shouldering him and he used that to his advantage,” Schau said. “Max is green. He’s developed so much this year and, by the time he's a senior, he’s gonna be great. He’s a big kid.”
Jones said his age or experience didn’t affect him.
“It's one-on-one. Age doesn't matter. I'm a two-year starter on football. It doesn't matter, you have to compete at high levels and keep on going,” he said. “I love the pressure, it makes me perform.”
He said defending penalty kicks is a matter of misdirection and concentration.
“Just watch the eyes,” he said. “And keep going side-to-side and they don’t know where you’re going.”
Zach Estrada had a free kick with 1:20 left in the match. Estrada fired quickly before anyone could get set and the shot sailed right of the goal. The Hawks had a run with 30 seconds left, but couldn’t get a connection or shot off before the buzzer, setting up the penalty kick overtime session.
Schau sent Colton Taft, Estrada, Jaedin Oglesby, Mason Sanders, and Seyb out and all five found the net. Seyb punched in the final shot for Central Lee to secure the OT session 5-4.
The Hawks advance to the SEISC semifinals Friday night to take on top-seeded and No. 6 ranked Burlington Notre Dame. That match starts at approximately 7 p.m. The No. 2 seed Mediapolis Bulldogs take on Highland, the 5th seed, at 5 p.m. The finals are set for Saturday, also at Central Lee beginning at 10 a.m.
Schau said he’s looking forward to the rematch with the Nikes Friday in front of a home crowd.